The celebration of a lifelong dream is a reoccurring theme throughout my conversation with bass guitarist Eli Burke of 8 Inch Betsy. About to release “Mean Days,” their sophomore album, on November 13, their new single “Arise” is a haunting and powerfully captivating track.
Shortly after listening to “Arise,” I became determined to interview the Chicago-based Queercore punk rock group, only to sadly discover their lead singer Meghan Galbraith passed away earlier this year. The 35-year-old singer often appeared as an “imposing” character, sporting a huge Mohawk and a bunch of striking tattoos painted upon her neck. Her music and lyrics were aggressive yet sensitive and heartfelt, and her voice raw, enchanting, intriguing and explosive. In the years before Galbraith’s death, the band toured with epic icons such as Cyndi Lauper and Amy Ray from the Indigo Girls. Their song “Doomed” was chosen by Xbox for their popular game Rock Band. Although they identify as “queer,” the album “Mean Days” doesn’t lend itself to LGBT themes.
Unwavering in my decision to learn more about the outfit, I was able to secure an interview with Eli Burke, who has just began a brand new musical project. Softspoken Burke covered the history of 8 Inch Betsy as well as Pink Eyez, his current journey.
So you’re from Chicago?
I’m from Connecticut actually, but yeah, I lived in Chicago for 10 years. That’s where the band The Dead Milkmen was.
“Arise,” your single, is spectacular.
Thank you.
What kind of reaction are you receiving from it? I saw reviews on it, and they were magnificent.
So far, positive. I haven’t heard anything negative so far. People seem to be excited about it. So that’s good.
If someone wanted to purchase it, how would that happen?
You can pre-order it if you go to 307 Knox website (307knox.com). There’s a link for the shop. If you pre-order it I believe you get a free download, so you don’t have to wait for it to ship.
Now let’s back up a little. Can you give me a little of the band’s history?
8 Inch Betsy started in the late ‘90s in Tucson. It was me and two other people. I ended up leaving and moved to Chicago, and reformed it there, in 2004. Meghan had been writing and playing songs for a while. She had material that she wanted to try out, so we played it. We got two songs down our first time playing together. The next year we were touring with Amy Ray.
What inspired you musically? Was it punk?
To be honest, I never listened to punk. It’s funny, I was very naive in terms of music. I grew up in the ‘90s. I graduated in 1994, so I was into R.E.M. When I started 8 Inch Betsy in Tucson, one of my bandmates at the time asked me if I’d ever heard of “Bikini Kill.” That’s when I first heard their music. Meghan was like a super fan. That was her genre. To really be honest, to describe it, I’m really a fan of Meghan’s music. That’s what drew me. We were friends first of all, but she was really talented, and I was in awe of that. I was very much motivated to support her and be a good bass player. That is kind of what it was about for me.
I understand that you have a new music venture.
We have a project called Pink Eyez. We have a few songs. It think it’s good.
Do you plan to record or tour?
Hopefully, at some point. I’m a visual artist, so that’s what I’ve been focusing on since I haven’t been in Chicago. Hopefully this other project will eventually get some tracks down.
You have a drummer too in 8 Inch?
Yeah, Mel – Melissa Thomas. She runs 307 Knox, our label.
For me, when I identify with punk, I feel mostly it’s a “man’s world.”
Meghan was a huge “Dead Milkman” fan and all these bands I had no idea of.
So all of you identify as gay, right?
I identified as gay for a long time, but I’m transitioning, so I guess you can say I’m trans. I prefer “queer” in general. I’m just queer. It’s such a big music city. There is so much competition. If we were dudes at the time, I don’t know if we would have done as much. The opportunity to tour with Amy Ray – to be honest, that was such a big deal, because she has such a hardcore fan base. They are like her fans…like, don’t mess with them. I don’t know if we would have had that opportunity if we were just another boy band. It was a blessing to identify this way as part of this community. I feel like I’m meeting people in all these cities, meeting the coolest people. It just was really a great experience. I guess what I hope now, and it sounds like you’re on the same page, it moves beyond that, because I think that people can really form many demographics.
Are you ever planning to come to New York?
I’m out that way pretty regularly, because my family is so close to there.
Well, I wish you the best of luck for your new venture, as well as “Mean Days.”
I know that Meghan would be so stoked about it. We had this conversation. She wanted this, so I’m so glad it’s happening. We’re going to try to do this for Meghan. We’ll keep pushing it out there.
